Massaging device



O. J. ALVAREZ MASSAGING DEVICE Oct. 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July1'7, 194'? INVEN TOR.

0W3 9m B v -"Q Oct. 17, 1950 o. J. ALVAREZ 2,526,190

MASSAGING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet s Filed July 17, 1947 Ca /e IN VEN TOR.cww-fr Jose Havana/5 Patented Oct. 17, 1950 MASSAGING'VDEVICE OctavioJose Alvarez, New York, N. Y., assignor to Alvarez Patent Corporation,New York,

Application July l'i, 1947, Serial No. 761,592

My present invention relates to massaging devices and more particularlyto massaging devices combined with means for applying a cosmetic fluidor cream to the skin.

It is an object of my present invention to provide'a massaging deviceconstructed so as to create intermittent suction on the surface of theskin and to prevent creation of air pressure at the skin surface.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a massagingdevice combined with means for creating an intermittent pulsatingsuction effect uponthe skin while oscillating the device.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a massagingdevice which is adapted not only for massaging the skin but also forapplication of cosmetic fluids or creams thereto.

It is still a further object of my present invention to provide amassaging device which is not only adapted to compress the skin tissuesbut also adapted to lift the skin and thereby to expand the pores andchannels leading to the inner tissue layers of the skin.

Still another object of my present invention consists in a massagingdevice provided with means for mechanically opening the pores of theskin so as to enable penetration of an ointment into the same duringmassaging.

Still a further object of my present invention is to combine, with amassaging device of the type proposed by me, means for creatingelectrical shocks of adjustable strength during the massaging process.

With the above objects in view, my present invention mainly consists ina massaging device comprising in combination a stationary body member,an oscillating massaging member mounted on this stationary body memberslidably between inoperative and operative positions, spring meanspermanently tending to slide this oscillating member from itsinoperative into its operative position, a solenoid arrangement mountedon the above mentioned stationary body member and adapted to slide, whenenergized, said oscillating massaging member from operative intoinoperative position, an electric circuit connected with this solenoidarrangement and adapted to be connected with a source of electriccurrent so as to enable energization of the above mentioned solenoidarrangement and sliding of the oscillating massaging member frominoperative into operative position, and switchmeans mounted on' theabove mentioned stationary body member and included in the electriccircuit in such a manner as to be in closed position while Claims. (Cl.128---24.1)

the oscillating massaging member is sliding and while it is in operativeposition and to be automatically opened by this oscillating massagingmember when the same reaches its inoperative position. I

An arrangement of the above proposed type is extremely simple and hasfurthermore the advantage of providing the possibility of including, inthe device, mean: for adjusting the switch means for varying the closingand opening times of the switch, thereby adjusting the amplitude andfrequency of the oscillations of the oscillating massaging memberdescribed above.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my present invention, theswitch means include a contact member mounted on the stationary bodymember and a contact member mounted on the oscillating massaging member,and the adjusting means for the switch consist of a device for adjustingthe position of the contact member mounted on the stationary body memberso as to vary the closing and opening times of this switch.

My new massaging device is preferabfy equipped with a substantiallycup-shaped end member mounted on the stationary body member so as tocontact with its rim the skin to be massaged. In case of provision ofsuch an end member, the massaging member is arranged within this endmember, oscillatably in a direction normal to the skin to be massagedand the oscillating driving means are mounted within the stationary bodymember operatively connected with the massaging member.

In order to prevent air pressure within the cup-shaped end member, Iprovide in the wall of this member outlet valve means which are adaptedto decrease the prersure within this end member during oscillation ofthe massaging member.

I have found it advisable to provide between the stationary body memberand the cup-shaped end member a resilient flexible membrane and to passthrough this membrane the means connecting the oscillating driving meanswithin the body member with the'massaging member within the cup-shapedend member.

In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of m presentinvention, I use a massaging sponge member and combine the same with aconical stretching member, preferably a conical brush member,surrounding the massaging sponge member so as to contact the skin alongthe edges of the area contacted by the massaging sponge member when thesame is pressed against the skin. Arrangement of this sesame conicalstretching member has the purpose of stretching the skin during itscontact with the massaging member, thereby opening the pores of the skinand enabling penetration into the same of an ointment applied by themassaging member.

I wish to note in this connection that with a device according to mypresent invention it is possible to create a reduced pressure, i. e.partial vacuum, at the skin surface and to apply simultaneously, i. e.during creation of such partial vacuum, an ointment to the skin byapplying such ointment to the massaging sponge member and to press thesame against the skin.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top View of a massaging device of the type proposed by me,with the top cover removed;

Fig. 2 is an elevational section through the massaging device shown inFig. 1, along line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an elevational section through the massaging sponge and someother details of the massaging device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of some details of the massaging deviceshown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational section through a modified massaging membercombined with a conical brush;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the massaging member shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal section through a modified massaging device;

Fig. 8 is an elevational section through still another modification ofthe massaging device shown in Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a detail of themassaging device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 1G is a perspective view, partl in section, of a detail of amodification of the massaging device shown in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevational section through still a further modificationof the massaging device shown in Figs. 1 to 4; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a part of the massaging device shown inFig. 11.

The massaging device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 includes a stationarycylindrical housing 20, the upper end of which is closed by theinsulating disc 25; this disc is held in proper position by means of thesubstantially hemispherical cover 22, screwed at 23' to the cylindricalhousing 20.

The front end of the cylindrical housing is closed by the resilientflexible rubber membrane 23 having a relatively strong spring action.This rubber membrane 23 is held in proper position by the cup-shaped endmember 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, by means of the screw threading25.

The insulating disc 2! is provided with a tubular extension 25 aboutwhich the solenoid coil is wound.

A core member 29 is slidably arranged within the tubular member 26. Thiscore member consists partly of metal, as indicated by numeral 29, andpartly of rubber, as indicated by numeral 30.

At its front end, the metallic portion 29 of the core member 28 issecured to the rubber membrane 23 and to the massaging sponge 3| bymeans of the attaching member 32.

At its rear end, the rubber portion 30 of the core member 28 is attachedto the leaf spring 33 forming together with the contact member 34 aswitch included in the circuit 35 adapted to connect the solenoid coil2! With a source of electric current 38.

It is evident that if circuit 35 is connected with the source ofelectric current 36, the solenoid 21 will be energized and pull themetallic portion 29 of the slidable core 28 in the direction of arrow31, thereby moving the massaging sponge 3| from operative intoinoperative position. In order to enable return of the sponge by springaction of the flexible rubber membrane 23 into operative position incontact with the skin, it is necessary to interrupt the energizingcurrent the moment the slidable core 28 reaches its uppermostinoperative position in which position the leaf spring 33 assumes theposition indicated in Fig. 2 by the dotted line 38.

In this position, the contact between the springshaped contact member 33and the contact member 34 will be interrupted by the inertia of thesliding core 28 and the solenoid coil 21 will be deenergized. This willenable the resilient rubber membrane 23 to pull the slidable core 28together with the massaging sponge 3| in the direction opposite to thatindicated by arrow 37, into the operative position shown in Fig. 3.

During sliding of the core 28 from operative into inoperative position,the leaf spring contact member 33 will again contact the contact member34, energizing the solenoid coil 21. Such energization will cause thesolenoid coil 21 together with sponge 3| to return into inoperativeposition as soon as they have reached the operative massaging positionshown in Fig. 3.

From above follows that the combined action of the solenoid coil 21 andthe flexible rubber membrane 23 will cause the core member 28 togetherwith the applicator massaging sponge 3| to oscillate to and fro in andopposite to the direction of arrow 31, as described above. Suchoscillation of the membrane 23 will cause variation of the air spacewithin the massaging chamber formed by the cup-shaped end member 24 atthe front end of the cylindrical housing 20. Such variation of the airspace within the massaging chamber,in turn, will result in increase anddecrease of the air pressure within the massaging chamber, causing amassaging effect upon the skin of the user pressed against thecup-shaped end member 24.

In order to adjust the amplitude and intensity of such oscillations, Iprovide in accordance with my present invention an adjusting screw 39arranged, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and enabling moving of the contactmember 34 in the direction of arrow 40. This contact member has a springaction tending to move it permanently in the direction opposite to thedirection indicated by arrow 40. In this manner, it is possible toadjust, by turning of screw 39, the position of the contact member 34.This, in turn, enables adjustment of the time of making and breaking ofcontacts between the two contact members 33 and 34, causing variationsof the amplitude and intensity of the oscillations of the core member 28and the massaging. sponge 3|.

In order toenable 'ointments applied by means of the massaging sponge 3|to penetrate into the poresof the'skin, I provide, in'accordance with mypresent invention, around the massaging sponge, a preferably conicalstretching member 4|, adapted to press along its edge 42 against theskin so as to stretch the same so as to open the pores 44 and enablepenetration of the ointment 45111170 the same while the air trappedunder the stretching member escapes in the direction of arrow 43. a

Fig. 5 shows a modified stretching member. While the member 4| shown inFig. 3 consists of rubber, the stretching member shown in Figs. 5 and 6is composed of bristles and the like and forms a conical brush 46 havingsimultaneously a stretching and skin activating effect.

It is evident that vibration of themembrane 23 wouldcreate within thespace in the cup- "shaped end member 24 a certain airpressure during theperiods it is oscillating towards the skin. In order to avoid such airpressure within the member 24, I provide in the wall of the same, outletvalve means consisting of a plurality of holes 41 coveredby a resilientrubber band 48, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. This valve means hasthe effect of permitting the airto escape during bending of the membrane23 towards the skin while preventing airfrom entering while the membraneis bending away. from the skin in the direction of the arrow 31. This,in turn, will result indecrease of the air pressure within the endmember 24, creating a partial vacuum within the same.. It is evidentthat such partial vacuum in turn will have a. certain intermittentpulsating pressure-suction effect upon the skin.

It is also evident that during downward movement of the membrane 23, i.e. during bending of the membrane towards the skin, the skin willactually soak in the ointment which has been deposited thereon by thesponge 3|.

The modification shown in Fig. 7 is similar in many respects to themassaging device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and described above. However,instead of securing to theiront end of the solenoid core 28 a massagingmember, the end member has the shape of a closed fluid container 49provided with a flexible applicator tube 59 having at its end anapplicator nozzle 5i.

In the wall of the fluid container 49, I provide an outlet valve 52pressed by the relatively weak spring 53 in the direction of arrow 54.Action of this spring 53 is supportedby the double armed lever 55pivoted at 56 to the fluid container 49 and permanently turned by therelatively strong spring 51 in the direction of arrow 58.

Similarly, I provide in the wall of the fluid container 49 also an inletvalve 59 permanently pressed by means of the relatively weak spring 6|]against its seat. Action of this spring 60 is supported by therelatively strong spring 6| acting upon the valve member 59 by means ofthe operating knob 62 directly engaging the disc-shaped end portion 63of the valve member 59, as shown.

In order to operate this massaging device, the fluid container 49 andthe applicator tube 50 are partly filled with a massaging fluid orointment 64, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

When the solenoid 21, forming part of this device, is connected with asource of electric current, the membrane 23 will start to oscillate inthe directions of arrow 65. Such oscillation will result in creation ofintermittent over pressure and partial vacuum in the air space 66 withinthe fluid container 49 which, in turn, will result in oscillations ofthe massaging fluid or ointment e 64. Such oscillations of the fluid orointment can be transmitted to the skin by holding the applicator nozzle5| against the same.

If neither the inlet nor the outlet valve is manually operated, the airwithin the space 66 will be oscillated and both valves will remainclosed since the variations-of the air pressure are insuflicient toovercome the action of the relatively strong springs 51 and 6|. 7

If it is desired to force, during massaging, part of the massagingointment 64 into the skin, it is necessary to press with one fingeragainst the operating knob 52, moving the same downward in the directionof arrow 57 and permitting thereby the valve member 59 to admit airduring upward movement of the membrane 23 while closing the valve duringdownward movement of the membrand. During downstroke of the diaphragm 23the air within the air space 96 will be compressed, causing increase ofthe air pressure, forcing the massaging ointment fi loutward throughtube 59 and nozzle 5|.

If it is desired to create, during massaging, a

certain, suction effect, it is only necessary to press the leverdownward in direction of arrow 68, thereby enabling the valve member 52to permit escape of air from the air space 65 during downward movementof the membrane 23 while during upward movement of the membrane thevalve 52 will remain closed due to action of the spring 53. This willresult in partial vacuum within the air space 65 which, in turn, willcause the desired suction effect when membrane 23 moves upwardly.

The massaging device shownv in Fig. 8 is very similar to the one shownin Fig. l. The only difference is that the end member 69 is turnablymounted by means of the screw threaded member '53 to the bottom edge llof the cylindrical member 12 and that electrical means are provided forregulating the intensity of the oscillations and for simultaneouslyheating the end member.

'These electrical means consist of a contact member 13 mounted on a discmember, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and slidably engaging an electricalresistance member 15 provided on the inner surface of the annular rubbermember 16 mounted on the inner face of the end member 69 by screw 11.The contact member 13 is connected at 18 with one end of the solenoidcoil 19 wound on sleeve 14 while the resistance member 15 is connectedby means of the metallic end member 69, the screw threaded member 10 andconductor 8D with the electric circuit 8|.

It is evident that during operation of this massaging device theelectric current energizing the solenoid coil 19 will have to passthrough the resistance member 15, thereby decreasing the intensity ofthe current and simultaneously heating this resistance member.

It is possible to adjust the resistance included in the circuit byturning the end member 69 carrying the resistance member 15 and therebyslide the contact 13 mounted on the cylindrical member 12 along theresistance member 15, adjusting the relative position of said contactand said resistance member. In this manner, it is possible'to adjust thetemperature to which the end member 69 is heated and to adjust also theintensity of heat to which the skin is subjected.

The embodiment of my new massaging device shown in Fig. 10 is verysimilar to the one shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the only difference beingthat the heating spiral 15' is located inside of .the end member 69andunder the membrane 23; In order 7 to prevent any injury to the skin,I provide between the heating spiral l and the skin a protective screen23. The intensity of heating by the heating spiral 75 is regulated inthe same manner as set forth above in connection with the embodimentshown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown still another modification of mymassaging device. The massaging device shown in these figures consistsof an outer stationary sleeve member 82. Within this sleeve member 82, Iarrange, freely slidably, a massaging unit consisting '01 a partlymetallic and partly insulating core 83 the front end of which is securedto the resilient rubber membrane 84.

This core member 83 is supported at its upper end by the spring member35' arranged, as clearly shown in Fig. 11.

The rim of the resilient membrane 8 is firm 1y secured to the cup-shapedend member 85 which, in turn, is provided at its upper end with a s-eve88 of insulating material through which the core 83 passes.

The solenoid coil all is wound about sleeve 8% so as to be adapted toattract the metallic portion 88 of the core 83 and to oscillate the sametogether with the massaging sponge 89 in the manner described above.

In order to provide for the necessary current interruptions, I arrangeinstead of a leaf spring serving as contact member as shown in Fig. 2, acontact spring 90 arranged as shown and electrically connected with thespring 85' which, in turn, is included into the electrical circuit 9|serving iorenergization of solenoid 37.

The contact sprin 99 moves during oscillation 'into and out of contactwith the stationary contact ring 92 screwed into the screw threadedsleeve 93 mounted on top of the insulating sleeve 86, as clearly shownin Fig. 12. By turning the hemispherical cover 95 together with thecontact ring 92 in the screw threaded sleeve 93, it is possible toadjust the length of contact between the contact ring 92 and the contactspring 90 and thereby to adjust the amplitude and intensity of theoscillations of core 83, as explained above.

In order to enable creation of electric shocks of adjustable intensityduring massaging, I provide within sleeve 82, a second coil 95 mountedon sleeve es. I furthermore provide the coil spring S'l'arranged so asto permanently tend to move the endmember 85 in the direction of arrow98. This secondary coil $5 is included into a circuit which includes thefollowing consecutive elements: sponge 89, core 83, the connectingprojection loll of the metallic sleve ml which is projecting through therubber portion I92 of the core 83, the metallic sleeve lill itself, thecontact plate H33, the screw Hit, the secondary coil 95, the wireconnection 185,:the coil spring 91, the metal contact plate N8, theelectric wire till, the metallic holding nut I08, the end member 85, andduring use of the device the wet skin of the user contactingsimultaneously the end member 85 and sponge 89. In this manner thecircuit including the secondary coil 95 is closed during use of thedevice. It is evident that the secondary coil 95 can be energized by theprimary coil'8l only when it surrounds the same at least partially. Thisoccurs when the end member 85 together with the primary coil 5? mountedon the insulating sleeve 86 attached to the .end member 85 is movedagainst the direction of arrow 98 relative to the sleeve member 82.

.Thus, movement of the end member 85 against tion of the coil 95 andcreation of electrical shocks in the skin portion between the massagingsponge 89 and the rim of the end member when the same is pressed againstthe skin. It is evident that by pressing the end member 85 more or lessinto the stationary sleeve member 82, it is possible to adjust thedegree of energization of coil and the intensity of the electricalshocks created by the same.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofmassaging devices, differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in skinmassaging devices, I do not intend to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way Irom the spirit of my invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofmyinvention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adaptit for various applications without omitting features that, from thestandpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics ofthe generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Massaging device comprising in combination a stationary body member;a substantially cup-shaped end member mounted at the front end or saidstationary body member so as to be adapted to contact with its rim theskin to be massaged; a resilient flexible membrane dividing the spacewithin said stationary body member from the space within saidsubstantially cupshaped end member; a recriprocable massaging memberarranged within said cup-shaped end member to be movable in a directionnormal to the skin to be massaged; reciprocating driving means mountedwithin said stationary body member and operatively connected throughsaid resilient flexible membrane with said reciprocable massagingmember'so as to be adapted to simultaneously reciprocate said resilientflexible membrane and said reciprocable massaging member; and valvemeans arranged in the Wall of said cup-shaped end member so as to varythe air pressure'within the same'during reciprocations of said resilientflexible membrane.

2. Massaging device comprising in combination stationary body member; asubstantially cup-shaped end member mounted at the front end or saidstationary body member so as to be adapted to contact with its rim theskin to be massaged; a resilient flexible membrane dividing the spacewithin said stationary body member from the space within saidsubstantially cupshaped end member; a reciprocable massaging memberarranged within said cup-shaped end member and movable in a directionnormal to the skin to be massaged; reciprocating driving means mountedwithin said stationary body member and operatively connected throughsaid resilient flexible membrane with said reciprocable massaging memberso as to be adapted to simultaneously reciprocate said resilientflexible membrane and said reciprocable massaging member; andoutletvalve-means arranged in the wall of said cup-shaped end memberso'as to vary'the 1 cup-shaped end member mounted at the front end ofsaid stationarybodymember so as to be adapted to contact with its rimthe skin to be massaged; a resilient flexible membrane dividing thespace within said stationary body member from the space within saidsubstantially culpshaped end member; a reciprocable massaging memberarranged within said cup shaped end member and movable in a directionnormal to the skin to be massaged; reciprocating driving means mountedwithin said stationar body member and operatively connected through saidresilient flexible membrane with said reciproca-ble massaging member soas to be adapted to simultaneously reciprocate said resilient flexiblemembrane and said reciprocable massaging member; and outlet valve meansarranged in the wall ofsaid cup-i shaped end member so as to decreasethe air pressure within the same during reciprocations of said resilientflexible membrane by saidreciprocating driving means, whenever desired.

4. Massaging device comprising in combination a stationary body member;a substantially cup-shaped end member mounted at the front end of saidstationary body member so as to be adapted to contact with its rim theskin to, be massaged; a reciprocable massaging member arranged withinsaid cup-shaped end member to' be reciprocable between inoperative andoperative position; a resilient flexible membrane dividing the spacewithin said stationary body member from the space Within saidsubstantially cup-shaped end member and secured to said reciprocablemassaging member so as to permanently tend to move thesameinto operativeposition; a solenoid arrangement mounted within said stationary bodymember and adapted to slide when energized said massaging member fromoperative into inoperative position while simultaneously bending saidresilient flexible membrane; an electric circuit connected with said solnoid arrangement and adapted to be connected with a source of electriccurrent so as to enable, when connected, energization of said solenoidarrangement and sliding of said recipe rocating massaging member fromoperative into inoperative position; switch means mounted on saidstationary body member and included in said electric circuit in such amanner as to be in closed position while said reciprocating massagingmember is in sliding movement and while it is in operative position andto be automatically opened by said reciprocating massaging member Whenthesame reaches its inoperative position; and outlet valve meansarranged in the wall of said cup-shaped end member so as to vary the airpressure within the same during bending of said resilient flexiblemembrane. v

5. Massaging device comprising in combination a stationary body member;a substantially cup-shaped end member mounted at the front end of saidstationary body member so as to be adapted to contact with its rim theskin to be massaged; a massaging member arranged within said cup-shapedend member to be reciprocable between inoperative and operativeposition; a resilient flexible membrane dividing the space within saidstationary body member from the space within said subst nti lly cuph p dend member and secured to said massaging member so as to permanentlytend to move the same into operative position; a solenoid arrangementmounted within said stationary body member and adapted to slide whenenergized said massaging member from operative into inoperative positionwhile simultaneously bending said resilient flexible membrane; anelectric circuit connected with said solenoid arrangement and adapted tobe connected with a source of electric current so as to enable, whenconnected, energization of said solenoid arrangement and sliding of saidreciprocating massaging member from operative into inoperative position;switch means mounted on'said stationary body member and included in saidelectric circuit in such a manner as to be in closed position while saidreciprocat ing massaging member is in sliding movement and while it isin operative position and to be automatically opened by saidreciprocating massaging member when the the same reaches'its inoperativeposition; and outlet valve means arranged in the wall of said cup-shapedend member so as to decrease the air pressure within the same duringbending of said resilient flexible membrane by said oscillating drivingmeans, whenever desired.

6. Massaging device comprising in combination a stationary body member;a substantially cupshaped end member mounted at the front end of saidstationary body member so as to be adapted to contact with its rim theskin to be massaged; a reciprocable massaging member arranged withinsaid cup-shaped end member to be reciprocable between inoperative andoperative position; resilient flexible membrane dividing the spacewithin said stationary body member from the space within said substanially cup-shaped end member and secured to said r'eciprocable massaginmember so as to permanently tend to move the same into operativeposition; a solenoid arrangement mounted withinsaid static-nary bodymember and adapted to slide when energized said massagingmember fromoperative into inoperative position while simultaneously bending saidresilient flexiblemembrane; an electric circuit connected with saidsolenoid arrangement and adapted to be connected with a source'ofelectric current so as to enable, when connected, energization of saidsolenoid arrangement and sliding of said reciprocating massaging memberfrom operaive into inoperative position; switch means including acontact member mounted on said stationary body member and a contactmember mounted on said reciprocating massaging member, said contactmember being included in said electric circuit in such a manner as to bein closed 7 position while said reciprocating massaging member is insliding movement and while i is in operative position and tobeautomatica ly opened by said reciprocating massaging member when thesame reaches'its inoperative position; means for adjusting the positionof said contact member mounted on said stationary body member so as tovary the closing and opening times of said switch thereby adjusing theamplitude and fre. 'quency of reciprocation-s of said reciprocatingmassaging member; and outlet valve means arranged in the wall of saidcup-shaped end member so as to decrease the air pressure within the sameduring bending of said resilient flexible membrane by said reciprocatingdriving means, whenever desired. I

'7. A massaging device comprising in combination a hollow massagingmember forming at its front end a massaging chamber, said massagingmember being open at its front end and having a rim around said openfront end adapted to be applied to the skin of the user; a resilientflexible membrane within said massaging member extending in transversaldirection and spaced from said open front end of the same so as to forma resilient flexible rear wall of said massaging chamber which extendsbetween said membrane and said open front end of said hollow massaginmember; and means for reciprocating said resilient flexible membrane soas to intermittently vary the air space within said massaging chamber.

8. A massaging device comprising in combination a hollow massagingmember forming at its front end a massaging chamber, said massagingmember being open at its front end and having a rim around said openfront end adapted to be applied to the skin of the user; a resilientflexible membrane within said massaging member extending in transversaldirection and spaced from said open front end of the same so as to forma resilient flexible rear wall of said massaging chamber which extendsbetween said membrane and said open front end of said hollow massagingmember; and electrical means for reciprocating said resilient flexiblemembrane so as to intermittently vary the air space within saidmassaging chamber.

9. A massaging device comprising in combina nation a hollow massagingmember forming at its front end a massaging chamber, said massagingmember being open at its front end and having a rim around said openfront end adapted to be applied to the skin of the user; a resilientflexible membrane within said massaging member extending in transversaldirection and spacedfrom said open front end of the same so as to form aresilient flexible rear wall of said massaging chamber which extendsbetween said membrane and said open front end of said hollow massagingmember; means for reciprocating said resilient flexible membrane so asto intermittently vary the air space within said massaging chamber; andoutlet valve means arranged in the wall of said hollow massaging memberso as to decreas the 12 air pressure within said massaging chamberduring vibrations of said resilient flexible membrane by said means forreciprocating the same.

10. A massaging device comprising in combination a hollow massagingmember forming at its front end a massaging chamber, said massagingmember being open at its front end and having a rim around said openfront end adapted to be applied to the skin of the user; a resilientflexible membrane within said massaging member extending in transversaldirection and spaced from said open front end of the same so as to forma resilient flexible rear Wall Of said massaging chamber which extendsbetween said membrane and said open front end of said hollow massagingmember; electrical means for reciprocating said resilient flexiblemembrane so as to intermittently vary the air space within saidmassaging charm ber; and outlet valve means arranged in the wall of saidhollow massaging member so as to decrease the air pressure within saidmassaging chamber during vibrations of said resilient flexible membraneby said electrical means for reciprocating the same.

OCTAVIO JOSE ALVAREZ.-

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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